Rob Blanchflower has Gronk-like production

Wednesday

Aug 21, 2013 at 6:00 AM

It began with Baby Gronk. Eventually, Gronkflower emerged as the preferred nickname for UMass redshirt senior tight end Rob Blanchflower. Blanchflower, a former St. John's High standout from Leominster, doesn't mind the nicknames and comparisons to New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski — with one slight exception.

By Jackson Alexander, SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

It began with Baby Gronk. Eventually, Gronkflower emerged as the preferred nickname for UMass redshirt senior tight end Rob Blanchflower.

Blanchflower, a former St. John's High standout from Leominster, doesn't mind the nicknames and comparisons to New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski — with one slight exception.

"I don't like being referred to as a baby," said Blanchflower, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs a hulking 260 pounds. "But I guess Gronkflower is pretty creative — I can deal with that one."

The connection between Blanchflower and Gronkowski formed because they share first names, jersey numbers, similar physiques and positions on the football field. Playing home games in the same stadium also factored into the comparison.

"He's inspired me a lot," Blanchflower said. "I try to take mental notes when I'm watching him on Sundays. But I'm trying to do my own thing here and make my own name."

As Blanchflower stands in the sweltering heat on media day Tuesday afternoon at UMass, his concern isn't about nicknames or comparisons to NFL players; he is more focused on ensuring that his team doesn't go through another calamitous 1-11 campaign like the Minutemen did in their inaugural Football Bowl Subdivision season in 2012.

With just 10 days until UMass opens against Wisconsin on the road, Blanchflower already sees improvements from the previous season.

"If you just compare the offense to what it was last fall, it's just night and day," he said. "The team chemistry, the vibe of the team is a lot better than how it's been in the past."

Blanchflower came to UMass in 2009, but former Minutemen coach Kevin Morris redshirted him then, and he suited up only with the scout team.

His extra season as strictly a practice player paid dividends for Blanchflower as he appeared in all 11 games in 2010, and finished tied for third on the team in touchdowns and fourth in receptions and receiving yards.

But Blanchflower didn't make the jump from solid role player to offensive star the following year. Emil Igwenagu, the former Holy Name star and current Philadelphia Eagle, passed him on the tight end depth chart, and Blanchflower's receptions and touchdowns decreased in 2011.

The departure of Igwenagu after the season opened the door for Blanchflower to be the main tight end last year, and he responded with the best season of his career.

He started a career-high eight games, and his 43 catches and 464 receiving yards were both second on the team. Blanchflower's season came to an apex in the final game when he torched the Central Michigan secondary with a 10-catch, 100-yard performance and a touchdown.

Blanchflower credited his break-out season to a new style of offense and an increase in the number of targets.

One of the only things that could derail his senior year is the persistence of an injury-filled summer. He has been in and out of practice all summer, and his status for the season opener is in question.

"We've made an executive decision, based on the medicals, to hold him for at least the next 10-14 days," coach Charley Molnar said. "How that will affect his status for Wisconsin remains to be seen."

Blanchflower sounded less concerned about his health at media day.

"It's the start of the season, we just went through training camp, so I feel like if you talk to anyone in the nation, they'll probably say they're a bit dinged up right now," Blanchflower said.

After his big season, the coach named Blanchflower team captain, making him the first official captain in the Molnar era.

He has taken the title and put it to use as the team's primary leader.

"He's always been a great leader, but once we decided he'd be a captain for the 2013 season, he's taken his leadership to a new level," Molnar said.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.